Machine and method of manufacturing spot caps



J. D. ELDER Feb. 22, 1944.

MACHINE AND METHQD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 19:54

13 Sheets-Shee t l o o o o 0 N o o o o o o n Feb. 22, 1944. J. D. ELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5., 1934 13 Sheets-Shet 2 J. D. ELDER Feb. 22, 1944.

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 22, 1944. J. n, ELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 J. D. ELDER MACHINEVAND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Feb. 22,

Original Filed March 5, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 22, 1944. J. DQELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 1934 13 SheetsShget 6 III Q I 151311;: R R L I b k v Jaw 0. ZZde/Q Feb. 22, 1944. J. D. ELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS I Original Filed March 5, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 'T & 88 89 l J30 153L773? 35 9 97 I fi J. D. ELDER Feb. 22, 1944.

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 3257 .fOfi/i my, a

Feb. 22, 1944. J. D. ELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 195 4 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 V V l I 228 22 a Z J 9 u 505 J53 46 i 3 I 0 5 45 wuc nfoo t/07 7/7 0 IZzZQ/g arty/amp Feb. 22, 1944. J. D. ELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 1934 "13 Sheets-Sheet l0 Joz/y 0. 2446A Feb. 22, 1944. J; ELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS Original Filed March 5, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 Ill Feb. 22, 1944.

J. D. ELDER MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS l3 Sheets-Sheet 12 Original Filed March 5, 1934 Ill Feb. 22, 1944. J. D. ELDER 2,342,621

MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SPOT CAPS .OriginaLFiled March 5-, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet l3 J27 JO/M 0 grade/1,

Patented Feb. 22, 1944 "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTUR ING SPOT CAPS John D. Elder, Baltimore, Md, assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application March 5, 1934, SerialNo. 714,167 Renewed August 24, 1939 less of the particular type of adhesive employed.

7'7 Claims.

crown caps according to two methods: (1) the manufacture of the shell with a cork disc therein and subsequently in a separate mechanism to subject the preformed article to the various steps involved in center spotting; (2) the several operations are performed more or less continuously in the same mechanism, i. e., th cork disc and the shell are assembled in the same mechanism in which the spotting operations are performed. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus of the second type.

An object of this invention is to dispense with the intermittent and usual straight line movement of the shells having the cork discs and to feed the same by a continuous movement during which I thepspots are applied and firmly adhered.

Another object of the invention is to quickly convert the movement of the intermittently formed spots into a continuous movement, in the course of which they are applied to the cork discs while the latter are continuously moving.

Conventional machinery for center spotting caps is illustrated for examplein the patent to Johnson 1,852,578, April 5, 1932, such machinery comprising an intermittent feed for the cork discs ordinarily.- used in crowns and'a series" of stations for successively (a) heating the cork disc. (b) punching and depositing the center spots, and (c) applying, as by means of a heated plunger, heat and pressure to the previously applied center spot. Subsequently, the spotted caps are permitted to cool. under a pressure applied, for example, by means of a series of plungers in I a rotating dial.

- able for the adhering of the cushion and spot, it

is an object of the present invention to provide a machine which'is universally applicable, regardgetting out of alignment.

The apparatus embodies a number of features which will be completely brought out in the succeeding specification and all of which contribute to a rapid production of the caps and eflicient adhering of the cushion and spot, and the proper centering of the spot with relation to the cushion,

a control feature whereby strip spotting material will be economically expended and wherein cap shells, which for any reason have'not been provided with a cushion, will not be distorted or wasted, but will be recoverable, so that they may be returned to the machine; Y

Also, the timing construction whereby the cap assembly is completed, is so constructed that there is no likelihood of the various instrumentalities The feeding. of the metal shells and the application of the cushion and the spot are controlled and the manufacture of the caps automatically accomplished until the final article is completed and discharged from the machine.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse cross-section on the line 2-.Z of Figure 1, illustrating the cushion applying and tell-tale mechanism.

Figure 2a is a perspective view of and latch block,

Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line 1-3 of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line 4 -l of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-section on the'llne 5 5 of Figure 3. Figure 5a is a cross-section on of Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the left-hand end of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7, is a vertical transverse cross-section the latch on the line 1-1 of Figure 1, illustrating how two machines may be mounted on a common base and frame to form a single unit.

Figure 'la is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cap carrying and pressure dial mechanism.

Figure 8 ma cross-section on the line 8-8 of the line 5 sa Figure is an enlarged cross-section on the line Ifl-lll of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a cross-section on the line ll--H of Figure 12.

Figure 12 is a cross-section on the line l2l2 of Figure 11, illustrating the spot carrying finger mechanism.

Figure 13 is a vertical cross-section on the line i3l3 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the 10 arrows.

Figure 14 is a cross-section on the line [4-44 of Figure 6, illustrating the strip feed and spot punch mechanism.

Figure 15 is a vertical cross-section on the line I5-l5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a cross-section on the line l6-|6 of Figure 17, illustrating a spot moistening device positioned beneath a spot punch.

Figure 17 is a cross-section on the line i'll1 of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the parts for operating the moistening plunger shown in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a cross-section on the line Ill-l9 of Figure 17.

Figure'20 is a bottom plan view of a portion of strip material.

Figure 21 is a sectional view showing the composite structureof the strip.

Figure 22 is an elevation of a spot or facing.

Figure 23 is a sectional view of the spot shown in Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a top view of the cap having a spot applied to the cushion thereof.

Figure 25 is a modified form of the spot carrier finger stop mechanism.

Figure 26 is a cross-section on the line 2626 of Figure 25.

Figure 2'7 is a cross-section on the line 21-21 of Figure 25.

Figure 28 is a cross-section on the line 2B28 of Figure 26.

Figure 29 is a detail view of a spot carrier stop finger operating cam.

Referring to the drawings, I have indicated in Figure 1, the assembled machine. It is to be observed that the various parts by which the continuous operation of assembling a spot cap is performed are arranged substantially in alignment, so that a relatively narrow space is cocupied by the apparatus. In fact, two or more of th complete machines are arranged upon a single base and insure a large saving in floor space.

The machine provides for the continuous assembly of caps which include a metal shell, for example a crown shell, a cushion liner of natural cork or cork composition, and a spot preferably formed from a strip of foil or paper spotting material.

Referring to Figure 13, the source of power is applied to the pulley I which is carried on a shaft 2. A pulley 3 fixed on the shaft 2 and a pulley I fixed on the main drive shaft 5 are connected by means of a suitable belt 5', whence power is transmittedto the shaft 5. Associated with the shaft 5 is a clutch mechanism indicated as a whole at I controlled by a clutch shaft bar 8 connected to' a suitable operating handle 9 for connecting or disconnecting the shaft 5 for rotabase to which various parts of the apparatus are fixed.

Cap shell feed (A) At A, Figure 1, I have indicated a conventional type of cap feeding means which includes the hopper i2 for the metal shells and a chute l3, which directs the shells onto a shell transfer plate H! with their open sides presented upward. A suitable pulley I5 is connected by a belt with a similar pulley l6,'which, in turn, drives the shaft for operating the conventional distributing mechanism in the hopper [2 to assure that the shells will be fed with their open faces presented upward. The transfer plate 15 is rotated from the main shaft 5 by usual gearing. Associated with the shell transfer plate I4 is a finger means I! adapted to continuously transfer the shells from the plate H to a horizontally disposed step by step conveyor mechanism 18 illustrated in Fi ures 1, 2, 3 and 6. The conveyor mechanism is of conventional form and is of the type illustrated in the patent to Goebel No. 1,469,557, October 2,

1923. The shells are transferred step by step by this conveyor with their openv sides outward to the various assembly instrumentalities.

Adhesive application to shell (B) At B, I have illustrated an adhesive applying and distributing means comprising a reservoir l9 and a pair of spreader members 20, as shown 'in Figure 1. This adhesive applying and spreading assembly is reciprocated by. means of the eccentric 2| on the shaft 5, and a predetermined quantity of liquid is dropped into each shell from the reservoir H! as the shells proceeding in their step by step movement temporarily stop under the reservoir. In like manner, the two distributing members 20 spread the adhesive over the inner face of th bottom of the cap.

Cushion disc feeding and positioning (C) At 0, I have illustrated a, means for positioning a cushion liner, usually of cork, in the shell.

Referring to Figure 2, the conveyor mechanism 18 moves the shell past a reciprocating slide mechanism 22 positioned upon a bracket 23 mounted upon the table 24 carried by the base II). This slide mechanism is associated with a cushion feeding tube 25 having a hopper 26 at its upper end, The cushions are fed by gravity from the tube to the path of the slide 22, which latter is reciprocated by means of a lever system 26' connected to an eccentric 21 mounted on the drive shaft 5, as shown in Figure 1. The hopper operating mechanism as shown in Figure 1 comprises gearing 28 associated with shaft 5 and a sprocket means 29, whereby the shaft 30 and pulley mechanism 3| at the upper end thereof will actuate suitable means within the hopper to insure the proper feeding of the cushions to the stack 25.

Associated with the cushion feeding means is a cushion positioning means comprising a plunger 32, as shown in Figure 4, which is carried by a cross-head 33 adapted to be reciprocated in a dove-tailed slide 34 fixed on the adjacent frame member II. The cross-head is reciprocated by means of an eccentric 35 connected to the drive shaft 5, 'as shown in'Figures 1 and 4. The conveyor l8 carries each shell into a position beneath the plunger 32 and the slide 22 positions a cushion disc in alignment with the plunger and the shell, so that at each stationary position of the shell beneath the plunger, the downward Tell-tale device-Feed control for strip stopping material (D) a Fixed to the cross-head guide 34, as shown in Figure 4, is a laterally extending bracket, 38 supporting one end of a longitudinally extending shaft 31, which is adapted to be reciprocated and to operate the strip feeding means indicated at the left of Figure 1, as a whole, by the letter G. This shaft has fixed to it a strip feed latch arm 38, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and pivotally connected to this arm is a downwardly extending latch 39 having a laterally extending detent 48 at its lower end. This bracket 36 also carries a strip feed latch operating lever 4| pivoted at 42 to the bracket 36 and a stop pin or screw 43 against which the lever normally rests, is fixed to the bracket, all as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the reciprocating cross-head 33 carries a tell-tale device 44 illustrated in detail in Figure '5 and Figure 5a. The purpose of this device is to engage a cushion of the semi-complete cap to'actuate the stripfeeding means and incases where nocushion has been fed to the: shell or a shell has not been fed in proper sequence to the conveyor, to register this discrepancy and prevent feed of the strip spotting material. other words, if for any reason a cushion is not assembled in the shell or a gap is presented in the shells fed by the conveyor, the feed of the spotting material will be temporarily discontinued until a properly assemble'd cushion and shell on the step by step conveyor l8 have been presented to the tell-tale mechanism.

The reciprocating tell-tale device derives its movement from association with the reciprocating cross-head 33 and comprises, referring to Figure 5, an elongated or sleeve-like body portion 48, which is keyed against rotation to the reciprocating' cross-head at 48 and held in place against longitudinal movement with respect to the cross-head by nuts 41 above and below the cross-head. This construction permits adjustment of the body and associated parts without rotation thereof. Mounted for sliding movement within the body member 45 is a rod or stem 48 having an enlarged upper end 49 fitting in a transverse slot'5Jl to prevent rotation of the rod in the body portion. At its lower end. the stem has threaded thereon a cylindrical guide member body portion 45 is squared and slotted, as shown at 54, so as to receive and properly guide the squared portion 52 in the sliding movement of the stem 48. The threaded portion of the stem extends through the cylindrical and squared portions 52, 54 and threaded end-55 of stem 48 projects into the slot 53, as shown in Figure 5.

As stated, the stem and associated parts are 7 slidably mounted within the body portion 45 car- .ried by the cross-head, and in the normal position of the stem with respect to the said body portion and cross-head, the flange 53 is spaced from the lower end of the slotted portion 54 of the elongated body portion 45. This aflords a limited movement for the stem with respect to 5 the-body portion 45, so that when the bottom 54 of slotted portion 53- engages a cushion positioned in a shell, the stem and associated parts may move \upwardly, whereas if no cushion is present in the shell, the stem and associated parts will be suspended from the body portion with the flange 53' spaced from the bottom thereof, as shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 2, 2a, 3 and 4, the latch or long arm 39 is provided with a short arm or finger 56 having'an oflset portion or lug 51, and referring to Figure 3, and particularly Figure 4, a strip feed latch guide block 58 in the form of an angular member is bolted to the crosshead, as shown at 59. This guide block i pro vided with a slot as shown at 60, terminating" in a recess 6| at its upper end, all as: shown in. Figures 2a and 4.

The depending portion of the angular member orblock 58 is. provided with a. detent; receiving, opening 62. adapted to receive the-defiant 40 of the strip feed latch 39. The long; arm. of the strip feed latch extends into the slot 88 with the short arm and lug 51 disposed. in the recess El and the detent 40 engages; in the opening 62 3dof' the strip feed guide block. This is the normal position of these parts. Referring to Figure 2, the reciprocatory movement of the cross-head and the, detent 48 engaged in the opening in the block 58 will cause 35 the latch 38 and lever 38' to be reciprocated and in turn reciprocate the shaft 31. Upon each downward movement of the cross-head and consequent retum movement of the shaft 31, the strip spotting material feed mechanism shown at G, in Figure 1, is actuated.

It will be understood that the step by step conveyor feeds the assembled shell and cushion to a position below the reciprocating tell-tale device as shown in Figures 2 and 3. If a cushion is properly positioned within the shell,,the engagement of the foot 54' with the cushion produces no change in the normal operation of the parts, the said foot engaging each cushion while it is temporarily Stopped during its travelling move- 60 ment on the conveyor l8.

Operation when shell without cushion is moved past the tell-tale device Referring to Figure 3, I havev illustrated the detent 40 out of engagement in the opening 62, in the guide block 58, in which position of the parts the latch}! is disengaged from the guide block 58 connected to the reciprocatingcrosshead 33, which is in its downward reciprocated position with the presser foot 54f engaging the base of the shell not having a cushion disc therein. Hence, the upward movement of the crosshead and the downward return movement thereof will not actuate the shaft 31 and the feeding tent 40 is again engaged in'the opening 62.

This disengagement of the parts occurs when for any reason a cushion disc is not fed to the shell, or a gap occurs in the line of shells on the conveyor l4, and as the tell-tale device is reciprocated, the sliding stem 48 and associated parts are not moved upwardly within theelongated body port on 45, as would be the result were a cushion within the shell, but, on the contrary,

of the strip material will be halted until the dethe stem 48 and associated parts remainsusincreased or decreased or supplemented by a spring 48, for example, and associated parts is such that the engagement of the end of the stem 55 with the arm 63 will rock the lever 4| on its ivot 42 and move the other arm 64 of the bell 'crank lever away from its normal position in engagement with the stop pin 43, shown in Figure 2. to the position shown in Figure 3. Normally the bell crank lever is held in the position shown in Figure 2 with its arm 64 engaging the pin 43 by reason of the spring 65 mounted in a recess in the cover plate for the conveyor I8.

This rocking of the bell crank lever will cause the arm 64 to be shifted and engage the short arm 56 of the latch member 39, whereby the same is moved, and the lug 51 is moved out of the recess 6| in the'upper end of the guide block 58 carried by the reciprocating cross-head, and said lug 51 is positioned laterally outside the adjacent face 51 of the guide, by which it is positively held out of the recess as the block has its upward movement. At the same time, the latch member 39 is likewise moved away from the guide block and the detent 40 is, therefore, disengaged from the opening 62. Hence, in the upward movement of the cross-head 33 the lever mechanism 38, 39 fixed to the shaft 31 being disengaged from the opening 62 is not moved upwardly. As a consequence, when the cross-head subsequently moves downwardly, the shaft 31 is not oscillated and the spot material feed is temporarily stopped until the succeeding cap containing a cushion is again presented on the step by step conveyor l8 to the tell-tale device when the normal feeding of the strip material resumes.

It is also to be understood that it is the downward movement of reciprocation of the shaft 31 which operates the spotting material strip feed mechanism and hence so .long as the detent 40 is positioned in the opening 52 of the block 58, this downward movement of reciprocation is imparted to the shaft 31.

Cap transfer dial and spot applying dial (E) From the disc positioning and tell-tale means, the cap assembly comprising the shell and cushion positioned therein, is passed to a cap transfer dial indicated as a whole at E, in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure '7, and to Figure 1, the shaft 5 is provided with a pinion 61 engaging a gear 68 on a shaft 69 carrying a pinion 10 which, in turn, engages a ring gear II on a pressure dial 12, which will later be more completely referred to. This pressure dial is mounted on a shaft I3 having a gear 14 at one end, which engages a pinion 15 carried by a shaft 16, upon the lower end of which shaft, as shown in Figure '7', is mounted for rotary movement the said cap transfer dial. The dial comprises a plate member 11 about the periphery of which are disposed a multiplicity of equally spaced cap centering fingers 78, which form pockets for receiving the caps from the conveyor 18. These fingers 18 are substantially L-shaped in longitudinal cross-section to operate the strip spotting material feed mcchanism and the feed is, therefore, temporarily halted until .the next succeeding shell having a cushion therein is presented to the tell-tale device. This complete cycle is necessary to leave the feed lever, when disengaged, in its downward position.

Assuming that the next shell has a cushion therein, the base 54' of the tell-tale device will engage the cork cushion and the end 55 of the stem will, not be brought into contact with the end of the lever 63 of the bell crank 4|. same time, the lug 51 will move back into the recess BI and the bell crank 4i will assume its normal position under the'action of the spring 55 to move the detent into the opening 62 of the guide block. This return of the detent 40 to the opening 62 is assisted by the spring positioned between the arm 38 and the latch arm 39, acting to project the arm 39 outwardly.

It will be observed then that so long as the shell presentedto the tell-tale device has a cushion positioned therein, that the tell-tale device will simply have its stem and associated parts moved relative to the body portion 45. On the other hand, if the shell does not have a cushion present therein, or no she'll is presented, the stem and associated parts are not moved relative to the body portion 45, but, on the contrary,-the end of the stem 55 assumes a position'in engagement with the arm 63 of the bell crank lever 4| and due to the weight of the stem and associated parts, this bell crank lever is rocked to disengage the lug 51 from the recess 6| in the guide gaged, the lever 31 is prevented from oscillating At the and the rear ends thereof are disposed in slots formed in the plate, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, so that the forward ends of the fingers extend above the plane of the plate as shown at 8!, while the rear ends are substantially flush with the top view of the plate. Each pair of pocket fingers is spaced apart a sufficient distance corresponding substantially to the size of the cap shell below the cap flange thereof to receive the cap and the step by step conveyor moves each cap into a pocket of the rotary dial defined by the fingers with the skirt fiange overlying the fingers.

Superposed above the said fingers 18 is a ring gear82, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, extending about the periphery of the transfer dial and this ring gear is provided with a body portion disposed upon the surface of the dial at the rear ends of the fingers 18 disposed in the slots 80 to overlie the fingers. This ring gear and the fingers are secured to the dial plate by means of the bolts 19. The tooth portions of the ring gear indicated at 83 are offset with respect to the body portion of the ring gear, as shown in Figure 8, and hence are spaced above the fingers 18 a distance slightly greater than the overall depth of the particular cap, so that thecap flange is received between the fingers l8 and the gear teeth 83.

In this manner, the cap shells are held in spaced relation for the application of the spot, but are freely supported, so that after the spotting operation is completed, the caps may be removed from the dial by means of a suitable ejector as will be later described.

Referring to Figures 7a and 8, there is disposed in rear of the ring gear and cap receiving fingers I8 the means for applying a spot to the surface of the cushion or disc in th shell. This means comprises a plurality of circumferentially .spaced pot plungers 84 mounted upon carriers 84' which which is contacting with the s are pivoted at 85 in brackets 86 bolted to the dial plate at 81. Positioned upon the dial plate, in rear of th brackets 86, is a ring-shaped .spot plunger carrier guide ring 88 bolted to the dial plate at 89 and having a multiplicity of slots 90 formed therein correspondin to the number of spot plungers 04 and plunger carriers 84' which are employed. The walls of the slots act as guides forthe pivotally mounted plunger carriers 84, The slots are of a sufficient extent to permit the plungers to assume a substantially vertical position in full projected position, when the foot 92 of each plunger will engage the surface area of a spot and compact it upon the cushion, as shown in Figure 8.

dial indicated best at 93 in Figure 7a. As shown,

the cam carrier is supported by standards 94 mounted on the bed plate 24 and also by a frame cross-member 95, later again to be referred to, and supported on the frame members II. Depending from the plate 93 is a series of cams, one of which the pressure cam 96, is of a length and is so positioned with respect to the rotating dial, so as to be effective at the point of transfer of a spot to the cap to project and hold a plunger 84 in its full vertical spot applying position for the required time to affix the spot to the cushion. Associated with the cam 96 are lift cams 91 and 98, the function of which is to project and retract the plunger carriers in their movement toward and away from the point of application of the spot to the crown in cooperation with the pressure cam 96. As stated, the dial is given. a rotational movement at the requiredspeed and each plunger carrier and plunger approaches the point of application of the spot to the cap where the plunger is moved into vertical spot afiixing position and retained therein during subsequentmovement of the dial, the said cam controlling the projection and retraction of the cap.

Figure 8. The pressure cam 96 is particularly the dial reaches the point of cap transfer to the pressure dial I2. Y.

It is to be understood that the spot is affixed to the caps carried by the pressure dial at the point.

99, which operation will be later more completely described, and that thereafter the caps are passed to a pressure dial I2 in which they are finally completed. In their movement on the transfer dial toward the point of transfer to the pressure dial I2, it is, therefore, important that the lift cam 98 act to lift the plunger carriers and plungers to a position free of any possibility of obstructing the transfer mechanism, whereby the assembled spot caps are passed to the pressure dial I2.

Referring, therefore, to Figure 7a, as the spot cap assemblies are completed on the transfer dial, they move toward the transfer mechanism. This transfer mechanism comprises a cam member I00 fixed to the cross-member 95 on the frame members II and in the path of rollers IOI carried by the pressure dial "I2. The contact of the rollers with the cam serve to retract the compressor plungers I02 against the action'of their springs I03,.at which time the complete assembled cap isremoved into proper position on the pressure dial plate I04 to be engaged by the compressor plunger when the roller is released from the cam. In this manner, the caps are held in compressed position on the pressure dial. The caps are ejected from the transfer dial to a position on the pressure dial by means of the cam I05, shown in Figure 6, mounted on the fixed cross frame member 95, as shown in Figures 6 and 13.

important in this movement, in that it positions the carrier and the plunger, so that a pressure suflicient to unite the spot to the cushion layer is exerted by the plunger.

The timing is such that after the plunger has Jaeen in contact with the surface of the spot for the required interval, the pressure cam 96 permits the carrier to recede and the lift cam 98 contacts withthe plunger carrier to raise the same out of the spot applying position. The movement of the plunger carrier in the slot to position the plunger in its vertical position, as shown in Figure 8, will take place gradually in accordance with the speed of the machine and lift of the cam 91. I

radually projected from'the spot'applying-position, so as to be completely retracted b the time;

the pressure cam 96 carried by the cam plate 93..

The spot applying plunger mechanism is shown in detail in Figure 10 and comprises a body portion I01 within which is mounted a stem I08. About the stem is disposed a coil spring I09 confined between a stop IIO carried by the stem and the end wall III of the body portion of the plunger.

at its lower end has the foot 92 which is adapted to engage the surface of the spot with a pressure sufiicient to cause it to be united to the adjacent surface of the cushion disc. The outward movement of the stem under the action of the spring I09 is limited by the provision of a'suitable collar II2 carried by the stem externally of the body portion. At this point, it should be stated that the purpose of the pressure cam 96 is to project the plunger carrier, so that the plunger will assume a vertical position when applying the spot and the pressure which. is impressed upon the foot 92 is provided by the spring I09. This spring has the required tension to aflix the spot to the cushion disc.

Spot carrier dial (F) Referring to Figures 6, 8,9, l0, l1 and 12, I have illustrated the spot carrying dial which is adapted to receive a spot punched from a strip of spot material and deliver it to the point 99,

where it is centered upon the face of the cushion The stem is reciprocable in the body 3 portion I01 under the action of the spring and liner, and afiixed by means of the spot plungers 84.

This spot transfer dial is best illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 11, and comprises a dial plate I mounted for rotation on a stub shaft I26.

The dial I25 at its periphery is provided with a plurality of spot carrying fingers I21 extending laterally from the plate. The dial plate, as will be noted, is rotated by the engagement of the rounded slotted ends I28 of said fingers in the correspondingly formed recesses 83 defined .by the teeth in the ring gear 82 fixed on the cap transfer dial. In this manner, the spot transfer dial is rotated by the cap transfer dial and also the spot carrying fingers engaging in the recesses provided. by the teeth of the gear permits a centering of the fingers I21 with respect to the cap carried in the cap receiving fingers 18 of the transfer dial and assists in centering the'spot on the cushion disc.

Referring to Figure 8, the spot carrying fingers extend horizontally as shown and are fixed on a block I29 having a hub I30. The hub I30 is fixed to a shaft I3I which is mounted in openings I32 formed in annular opposed flanges I33 provided on the ring l25' of the dial I25. A spring I34 is confined between the hub I29 and the lower flange I33 as shown and this spring serves jected upwardly. Locating pins I25 are mounted in the ring I25 carrying the flanges I33 and engage a stud I36 fixed in an offset projection I31 on the hub of each of the spot carrying fingers, as shown in Figure 8.

At its lower end, the stem I32 carries a block I38 having a lateral extension I39 and mounted on the :block is a roller I40. Carried by the bed plate 24 and bolted thereto, is a circular U- shaped rail I40 having upper and lower flanges MI and I42 respectively, as shown in Figure 10. The roller 140 and block I38 are adapted to travel between the flanges MI and I42'and the block I39 bears against the flange I4 I As stated, there are a multiplicity of the spot carrying fingers and a similar mounting is provided for each of them.

It will be observed that since the block I39 disposed on one side of the center of the shaft I3I (see Figure 10) bears against the upper flange MI, and the stud I36 ibears against-the locating pin I on the opposite side of the axis of the shaft I3I, that the fingers are normally maintained rigid. This is important in permitting the spot carrying dial to be driven by engagement of the fingers I21 with the ring gear on the cap transfer dial as the driving member, as shown in Figures 9 and 11.

Spot punching machine transfer cam- The circular flange I4I on the rail I shown in Figure 10 is cut away at I43, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, at a point adjace'nt'the spot punching plunger to be later described. A block I44 is mounted on a flange I45 of the hub I46, which supports the shaft I26 about which the spot carrying dial rotates as shown in Figure 12.

o maintain the fingers at all times pro- This block is secured to the flange I46 by means of bolts I41, which also secure the hub I46 to the bed plate 24.

The block I44 is provided with a slot I48 in which is pivotally mounted on a pin I49 a cam member I50. The cam member I50 is normally projected outwardly by means of the spring I52 carried in a recess I53 in the block. The extent of the outward projection of the cam I50 is such that the cam is positioned in the path of movement of the extension I39 carried by the block I38 on the base of the shaft I3I. That is to say. the portion I 43 being cut away in the upper flange I4I of the rail I40, the cam I50 is projected outwardly into said cut-away portion, so that its outer cam face I54 is substantially flush with the periphery of the remainder of the upper flange I of the rail. \{Ihe cam face I54 is curved to conform to the curvature of the circular flange MI. The slot I40 isclosed on one side by the inner wall of the rail I40", which forms a stop for movement of the cam I50 in one direction under the action of thespring and the wall I55 of the slot I48 formed in the block I44 limits the movement of the cam in the opposite direction.

Transfer'cam for spot to cap Referring to Figures 8 and 9, and particularly Figure 10, the lower flange I42 of the rail I40 is cut away as shown at I 60 and opposite thereto the upper flange is cut away a considerably greater distance as shown, at I6I in Figure -9. The lower flange I42 has an inwardly extending projection I63 as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and provided with a pair of upstanding ears I64 in which is pivotally mounted an arm I65 carrying a cam I66 fixed thereto, which, as shown in Figure 10, is provided with opposed inclined sides I61 and a straight face I68, the said inclined sides corresponding substantially to the bevel of the cut-away portion I60 in the lower flange. Fixed to the arm I65 and beneath the cam I66 is a downwardly extending stem I69, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, about which is disposed a spring I10 acting to normally draw the cam and its associated arm I65 downwardly. The tension of the spring I10 is adjustable with relation to the spring I34 on the spot carrier shaft I 3| so that .the two will substantially balance each other.

- "The construction just described is associated with the transferring of the spot to the cap,

while the construction described in connection with the cam I50 is associated with the punching-out of the spots from the strip material and their positioning in the spot carrier fingers.

Spot cutting and feeding '(G) Referring to Figure 14, a bracket I is mounted on the bed 24 adjacent the path of movement of the spot carrying fingers I 28 and mounted on this bracket is a cutter holder I8I, in which is mounted a suitable cutter I82 of circular configuration. This punch is reciprocated by, means of a cross-arm I83 connected by a pair of studs I84 to a reciprocating cross-head I85 operated by an eccentric I86, shown in Figure 1, to which the lever I81 of the cross-head is connected. The foot I 88 of the cutter cooperates with a die member I89 carried bythe holder I8I and posiilzioned above the die is a suitable stripper plate Referring to Figure 1, a. bracket I9I is rigidly connected to the cross-frame I I and has a suitable trunnion upon which is disposed a roll of the strip spotting material indicated at I92. This material is fed from the roll over a roller I93 and through a suitable U-shape throat I94 as shown in Figures 6 and 12, which throat is tion shoe I9'I which bears upon the strip material as it passes through the throat to maintain the same from wrinkling and keeps the same under tension, so that it lies fiat. The strip material is drawn under the cutter I82 by means of the rollers I98 and I99, and the reciprocation of the cutter will sever a spot of the desired size. As will be observed, it is the waste portion of the strip material which is acted upon by the drawing rollers I98 and I99. These rollers are operated by an intermittent movement through the medium of a ratchet wheel 200 positioned on the shaft I of the roller I99, with which is engaged a pawl 202 carried by an arm 203 mounted on the shaft 20I and connected at its opposite end 204 to a link 205 having at its upper end a flexible connection 206 to a lever 20'! which is fixed to the end of the shaft 31.

The upper roller I98 is freely mounted on a carrier yoke 208, which is pivoted on a pin 209, carried by a pair of arms 2I0 mounted on the bracket I80. The pivotal mounting for this roller enables it to exert pressure upon the lower roll I99 and in order that this pressure may be substantial so as to frictionally engage the strip material between the rollers, a suitable spring 2I I, as shown in Figure 14, is connected to the free end of one of the arms 208- in which the roller I98 is mounted, and connected at its other end to an eye 2 I2 in a rod 2 I2 secured to the said bracket I80. surface of the strip material may not adhere to the lower roll I99, I provide a suitable stripper member in association with said roll as indicated at 2 I 3, which stripper member is suitably mounted on the bracket I80 and preferably fixed thereto.

It will" be noted that the shaft 31 when oper- ...ated by the downward movement of"the crosshead. 33 carrying the tell-tale device 44 acts to move the lever 205 which, in turn, moves the pawl 202. This pawl engages the ratchet mechanism and causes the lower roll and the friction ally supported upper roll to engage the strip material and draw the same from the strip material roll I92 through the throat I94 by a step by step movement past thespot cutter I88 -I89, so as to provide a controlled feeding mechanism operation of the tell-' in accordance with the tale device. w

It .will' be seen, therefore, that when a shell having a cushion positioned therein is fed by the step conveyor I8 past the tell-tale device, that the shaft 31 will bereciprocated to feed the strip material to the cutter and that where a. shell is fed without such cushion, the shaft 31 is not .reciprocatedand the feed of the strip material is halted .until the next complete cap assembly is presented to the tell-tale device. This is also In orderthat the lower adhesive true where no shell is presented to the tell-tale. I

Spot .carrierfinger star wheel Referring to Figure 15, I have illustrated at 225 a bracket 226 bolted to the cutter holder bracket I95 and carrying a shaft 221 upon which .is disposed a horizontal star wheel 228 positioned below the punching apparatus. This star wheel 228 is adapted to'engage with the spot carriers stantially fixed, while the opposite ends which are-associated with the rotating spot carrier dial continue to rotate therewith.

Carried by the reciprocating cross-head I85 is a star wheel latch 229 adapted to be reciprocated by the cross-head in accordance with the movement of the cutter.

@Referring to Figure 11, it will be observed that as the spot carrying dial rotates and the free ends I2-8 of the spot carriers I21 engage the star wheel, theretakes place a simultaneous engage-'- ment of oneof the teeth 230of the star wheel with the latch 229 due to the downward or cutting position of the cutter in its operation to punch a spot from the strip material. I In this manner, the free end I28 of each spot carrier finger I2! is held against movement by its engagement with the star wheel which in turn is held against rotation by the latch 229. It is understood, however, that during this brief temporary holding of the free end of the spot carrying finger so as to permit the positioning of a spottherein, that the spot carrier finger shaft I3I and associated parts continue to move with the rotating spot carrier dial, said shaft I3I piv oting in the openings I32, and this pivotal movement being permitted and guided by the resilient supported cam I50 on the spot carrier dial, all

as shown in Figure 11.

Referring to Figure 12, I have illustrated a spot.

' tially fixed for the brief instant necessary'to to Figure 14, this downward movement of the of the spot carrier upon engagement by the plunger 84 of the cap transfer dialwithout mutilating the spot in any way.

The utility of the star wheel 228 and the cam 229, as wellas the cam I50 carried on the spot transfer dial, will be described more in detail. In order totransfer a spot from the cutting die I89 to a spot carrier I28, as stated, it is necessary to hold the spot carrier in a fixed position. Also, it is necessary to have the spot carrier centered relative to the cutter and cutting die, so that-in no manner will the spot be distorted in its transfer from the punching mechanism to the spotcarriers. Hen'ce,.at the point where the star wheel 228 is retained by the latch 229 against rotation, with one of the spot carriers I28 in engagement with the star wheel, the free end of the spot carrier is held fixed. with relation to the cutter. The carrier will accommodate itself to this operation, since the cut-away portion I43 will permit the spot carrier and shaft I 3| to pivot or rotate in one direction, that is v in a' direction opposite to that of the rotation of the spot transfer dial, whereby the block I39 will engage the cam face I 54 of the cam I50, sotliat while the block and roller and shaft move with the rotating spot carrier-dial, the spot carrying finger is fixed with relation to the spot cutting 

